Posted by Dan Gunter on June 25, 1999 at 18:24:51:
In Reply to: Unspiek, Baron Boddissey - any thoughts? posted by Nick Edwards on June 25, 1999 at 12:13:25:
I'll jump in, and then the educated and erudite can follow in my muddy wake:
"Mouthpiece" is probably not quite right. I can't point to anything specific in the good Baron's pronouncements, but I suspect that he represents only one portion of Vance's philosophy (or worldview, if "philosophy" suggests too structured a concept). Perhaps Unspiek gives Vance the chance to play with ideas in another, more didactic way. It doesn't appear that Vance necessarily agrees with the full expression of those ideas. After all, Vance also supplies the voices behind the critics who carp at Unspiek. ("He does the police in different voices"?)
The pun in "Unspiek" is pretty obvious. Does anyone make anything out of "Bodissey"?
: This BBS is pretty impressive for the education and erudition of its contributors so I would be interested to know you're thoughts on Baron Boddissey.
: Is he Jack Vance's mouthpiece?
: If not what is his role?